Ananasfreak

Knitting can be a very relaxing and pleasurable hobby. As long as you can hold two knitting needles and know your left from your right (most of the time) and read some very simple directions, you can knit.

It does not need to cost a lot of money to get started at all or require fancy kits that you many have seen in bookstores. All the information you need to get started is out there on the web for free.

First, Google terms like “learn to knit” or “knitting for beginners”. There will be a ton of information out there and it is all at your fingertips. Sites like Vogue Knitting and Martha Stewart can be very helpful,especially if they include pictures or diagrams. The three things you need to learn to get started is how to cast on using the “long tail” method, the knit stitch and how to cast off. Everything else can be learned later after you have gained some confidence with these three techniques.

You don’t need a kit to get started nor do you need to spend a lot of money on supplies. Yarn stores are lovely but you can also find exactly what you need at your local craft stores.

Shopping for needles can be daunting. There are so many styles and materials out there. Some knitters prefer metal needles but there is also bamboo or wood and plastic sets and all work just as well. The size you will probably want to start out with is a pair of straight US 8 or 9 needles.

As for yarn, this is where it can really get expensive, but only if you let it. If you are a novice or first time knitter, resist the urge to buy anything that is fuzzy, furry or seems to have anything hanging off the strand of yarn, at least for now. Nowadays, there are some beautiful yarns for you to play and create with but may not be the best to learn with. Because of the fuzz or fur, you will not be able to easily see what the actual yarn is doing and this can lead to frustrations.

For the beginning knitter, find a nice cotton, polyester, acrylic or some kind of “blended” yarn and if you’ve paid over five dollars on yarn, you have either bought too much (at this time) or spent too much. Don’t get something that doesn’t feel nice to you either. There are tons of soft, comfy yarns out there for you to play around with. Choose a color you like too. There is no excuse to be knitting with a color if you don’t like it. The yarn department is like a fiber rainbow.

So, go through the directions with the needles and yarn in hand. Now what? Follow the directions and diagrams. If it doesn’t work, that is not a problem. Yarn is very forgiving and allows you to pull out the mistakes. If after several attempts you are still having problems, go to another web site and look at their directions. Everyone has a slightly different way to teach and the right one is out there for you to find.

Probably 99.9% of all beginners start with a scarf as their first project. Scarves are good, scarves make lovely presents, scarves will help you with the basic techniques. There are some people out there who start out with a sweater as their first project, and well… good for them. Remember, you can always remove your mistakes regardless of what your project is.

The most important thing about knitting is to not give up. There will be frustrations but if you push though it and get the basics down, you will be able to knit anything!